Top Causes of Water Damage

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

We find ease in knowing all you need to do to wash your dishes is turn the faucet on hot, and without thinking, you know your water heater will do its job and warm water will begin to fall. Our lives are made simple when we find a pile stacked high of dirty laundry and all we need to do is throw them into the washing machine, knowing it will thoroughly do the job well. Or on a hot day, we relax comfortably in an air-conditioned home not even realizing the potential harm it could cause. Whether it is realized or not, your property is filled with a piping system that is allowing water flow to enter and exit your home regularly and it is our job to take precautionary action to maintain the positive flow it allows. More than 90% of water damage cases are preventable. Being proactive and keeping a watch out for leaks and plumbing issues will help prevent your home from getting destroyed. Here are five of the top causes of water damage that may occur within the home:

1. Leaking or broken pipes

   Pipes can break due to water pressure changes or a faulty setup. Pipes bursting can cause flooding within your home causing immense water damage. However, leaky pipes are signs that trouble may be on its way. A loose fitting pipe in either the kitchen or bathroom that is creating a pool of water is a cry for help and in need of professional attention. Broken pipes that have caused hidden floods are the perfect environments for mold to grow. Depending on the type of environment you are in, take precautions and insulate hot and cold water pipes. It’s always a good idea to do all you can to prevent frozen pipes that could burst.

2. Clogging

   When a drain is experiencing a clog then the disrupted flow will back up and seep into the path of least resistance, which is most likely your home. A minor clog can be a warning sign that it is in need of inspection before water damage occurs. When multiple fixtures: such as the toilet, shower or bathroom sink are getting clogged then it’s time for professional help because it is dangerous to have contaminated water back up and overflow into your home. When a kitchen sink is clogged kitchen flooring and cabinetry can become water damaged.

3. Water heaters

   A water heater is created in such a way to continuously fill itself so that when you are in need of warm water while showering or doing dishes it’s available to you. When there is a leak in the water heater it can cause a terrible disaster and major water damage to your home. Water heaters can cause great damage even if the leak is small because of the constant refilling of the water flow. It’s important to regularly check your water heater for any build up or moisture, mold or corrosion.

4. Washing machine hose

   A washing machine is a very helpful piece of equipment in a household. However, a problem may occur when a washing machine’s hose is faulty. The hose that connects to our washing machine is meant to bring water into the machine. If there is a leak in the intake hose then over time the problem can worsen causing potential flooding in your home. It is important to have regular inspections all around the machine to ensure there aren’t any leaks on any part of the unit. If the hose has been damaged or doesn’t connect properly and water pours out you could potentially have 600 gallons of water within an hour doing quite a bit of water damage. To help prevent such catastrophe replace your supply hose once every five years.

5. Air conditioner

   It is important to get an annual checkup on your air conditioner because at times it may seem like it’s working properly but may still have some sort of malfunction inside. Air conditioners pull moisture out of the air, which can lead to a buildup of water inside of the machine. When the accumulated moisture isn’t properly drained then the water could leak and cause water damage to your home. It could cause damage to your flooring or drywall leaving a place for mold to grow. The draining system tends to stop working in the way it was intended when there is damage to the pan or there is a clog in the line.

It is easy to find yourself taking advantage of having water flowing to and from your home without consciously thinking about the luxury we are given; when all of a sudden you hear a loud burst of water gushing out under your home.

Appropriately your ease turns into panic as you rush to turn off the water flow to your house. This is a scenario no one wants to endure. Regularly monitoring your pipes and the machines that are connected to your water pipes is always the best preventive measure that should be taken. And if you do find yourself with a flooding emergency, call on SERVPRO of Oldham/Shelby County to return your home to its pre-flood state.